The choice of holding the Nation of Islam's convention in the bay area underscores the organization's growing relationship with the Church of Scientology, based in Clearwater.

Connected by shared interests in improving literacy and ending drug abuse, the organizations forged a bond years ago in which members of the Chicago-based Nation of Islam were trained to administer Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard's study techniques and drug-treatment programs.

During the four-day convention, Nation of Islam members had the chance to attend a "study tech" workshop and buy books from World Literacy Crusade, a tutoring program that uses the teachings of Hubbard.